New faces for Stormers against Jaguares

Pieter-Steph du Toit during the DHL Stormers Top table media session at High Performance Centre on March 27, 2017 in Cape Town. Image: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images

Coach Robbie Fleck has named four Stormers debutants for Saturday’s Super Rugby opener against the Jaguares at Newlands.

Former Cheetahs wing Raymond Rhule will make his run-on debut for the Stormers while Junior Springbok prop Carlu Sadie‚ flyhalf George Whitehead and former Bok utility back JJ Engelbrecht could all debut from the bench.

The 28-year-old Engelbrecht played 12 Tests for the Springboks between 2012-13 and earned 65 Super Rugby caps for the Bulls before moving to Japan.

He brings size and experience to wing although he is equally adept at playing outside centre as well.

Lock Pieter-Steph du Toit‚ as expected‚ was not picked due to a back strain but according to Fleck is likely to tour with the team next week.

As a result JD Schickerling and Chris van Zyl will start in the second row‚ rekindling their successful Currie Cup partnership.

Rhule forms part of a dynamic back three with Seabelo Senatla and Dillyn Leyds‚ while Damian de Allende and EW Viljoen link up in midfield outside the halfback pairing of Dewaldt Duvenage and Damian Willemse.